Polka Dotty

Yes the polka dot print is back in style especially for Autumn Winter 2011 - thank you Marc Jacobs! However it's already been creeping in for Spring Summer ... surely the best concoction when it comes to the spotty confections is the classic combination of black and white. The best thing about polka dots is that you can go super-crazy or super-cute. Wear it Now!!! Loves it! 


A little bit cray-cray at Commes Des Garcons ...

Commes Des Garcons Spring Summer 2011

And another little Topshop number ... oh yes ... too cute ...

Gots the Blues?

They do say, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em. Well here's a fresh philosophy for the most stylish: if you can't quite beat those January blues, wear 'em, courtesy of Marc Jacobs. Yes please!

Dress by Marc Jacobs

Conquering the Sales: Net a Porter

Shopping for things I can't afford to buy from Net a Porter (but the sales are on, so its rude not to!). My philosophy in the sales is total and utter recklessness! Be bold, and treat yourself to fun pieces that you wouldn't normally buy to cheer up the inevitable post Christmas comedown, i.e. something ridiculously impractical. If you don't find anything then go for the fail safe, fall back option: a short, tight, super-vamp cocktail dress to wear to your New Years Eve parties!! Here's a glimpse at my wishlist so far:

Sequin and wool cardigan with pocket detail, Marc Jacobs
From £2145, To £1502 (30%)

Alaia Python Platform Sandals
From £1700, To £850 (50%)

Leather ankle boots, Alexander Wang
From £630, To £315 (50%)

Embellished Cocktail Dress, Miu Miu
From £3035, To £1517.50 (50%)

Highland Fling

I was checking out pictures online earlier of the Central St Martins 20:20 party which took place over the weekend. 20:20 is an initiative set up to provide funding and support to CSM fashion students and is an amazing idea given how difficult it can be for emerging designers to finance themselves. We need to foster our home-grown fashion talent! And when you think of some of the CSM alumni: Stella McCartney, Pheobe Philo, Alexander McQueen - well just say the world would be a lot less colourful without them!

I have just completely digressed from the point of this post. Here we go: well, Daisy Lowe (love her) caught my eye resplendent in Versus tartan.....is tartan making a comeback courtesy of Christopher Kane?

Daisy Lowe in Versus 

I know, it is a bit early for Burns night to be thinking of clans, haggis and rugged moors. But it is not only uber-Scot Kane who is championing the return of this heritage fabric. I spotted tartan on the catwalk at dSquared2 (who can forget their tartan 'glamping' picnic blanket dress from Spring Summer 2010) and Marc Jacobs. M.A.C - always quick to jump on a bandwagon - have just created a new collection, entitled 'A Tartan Tale'. Vivienne Westwood has just created a stationary collection including notebooks and diaries in her signature Albion tartan. And even luxe shopping and fashion websites such as farfetch.com have been talking about this trend.

I think of tartan as a bit Marmite: some people really hate it, but there is a lot of fun to be had with this versatile fabric. It can be punk (think Westwood); it can be posh (think old school aristocracy dancing eightsome reels in their kilts); it can be prim and haughty and it can be sexy (see Christopher Kane). Here are some of my favourite pictures from through out the ages.

A young Prince Charles in a traditional kilt and sporran

Agyness Deyn walking the catwalk for Henry Holland, Autumn/Winter 2008

Alexander McQueen Autumn Winter 2006

Alexander McQueen Autumn Winter 2006

Vivienne Westwood

M.A.C Tartan Tale campaign Autumn 2010

The Big Bang

OK so it is not a world-changing scientific discovery but none the less, it is pure genius. The combination of Marc Jacobs and Juergen Teller reached chemical boiling point and exploded in the recent campaign for Jacobs' new scent, 'Bang' and sent temperatures rising within the fashion cosmos. I like this science.